(1)
Chennai Breast Centre, Chennai, India
Medullary carcinoma of the breast accounts for 2–7 % of all invasive breast cancers. They tend to occur more frequently in younger women. Medullary carcinomas are found more commonly in carriers of BRCA 1 mutations, but not all BRCA1 mutation-related cancers are likely to be medullary cancers.
Clinical Features
Clinically, these tumors are characterized by rapid growth and therefore often manifest as palpable masses. Lesions can be quite large at presentation.
Mammographic Appearances
Mammographically, they are circumscribed, rounded, or ovoid lesions with lobulations. Calcifications are not usually found in medullary cancers (Fig. 33.1a–c).
Fig. 33.1
(a, b) CC and MLO views showing a well-circumscribed round lesion in the lower inner quadrant. (c) Margins of the mass are well delineated in the spot magnification view
Ultrasound Features
Medullary cancers are usually circumscribed, ovoid, or rounded hypoechoic masses with macrolobulations. They exhibit enhanced acoustic through transmission and often very vascular on color Doppler (Fig. 33.2a–c).
